When reaching outside Lihua Hall’s courtyard, Zhao Douan halted his steps, turned his face covered with a white mask towards Zhou Cang, and smiled:
"Coming this far is sufficient, thank you, Hundred Households."
Zhou Cang hesitated, wanting to remind that being in Lihua Hall wasn’t easy, but after mingling in the governnt office for a long ti, he knew everyone was a keen observer. Fearing to leave a bad impression on this new official appointed from the palace, he just nodded:
"In that case, I shall depart now. If Master needs anything, you can co to the Governor Hall to find ."
Zhao Douan nodded, watching Zhou Cang leave. He confidently pushed open the hanging flower door with his left hand while raising the hem of his robe with the right, and stepped over the threshold.
The solitary hall greeted him with ancient and classical architecture.
Most strikingly, it was the courtyard’s dense pear tree, covered in golden yellow pears during autumn.
Only a few fallen leaves remained on the ground, indicating soone had swept.
The front yard was very quiet.
Zhao Douan didn’t rush inside, walked to the tree, raised his hand to pull down the branches, twisted off a pear, wiped it with his sleeve, and was about to eat.
"Stop!" Suddenly, a familiar reprimand ca from inside, "Who are you? How dare you pick Lihua Hall’s pears?"
Zhao Douan started, turning his head to see a slender figure in Jinyi robes approaching, with cheeks as rosy as apples, but with eyes cold, alert, and hostile.
Qian Kerou snatched the pear from his hand, guarded it with a distrustful look.
Zhao Douan looked at the secretary’s protective stance, smiled, crow’s feet spreading from the corner of his eyes:
"There are so many pears on this tree, if not eaten, they’ll be overripe and rot."
Qian Kerou glared at him and said:
"Mind your own business! Did you know the pears are reserved for my master at this hall? Even if they rot on the tree, outsiders aren’t allowed to eat them!"
Zhao Douan’s curiosity grew:
"Your master? That Junior Guardian Zhao? Heh, are you aware I’m the Holy Emperor-appointed Deputy Arresting Officer? Today I arrive to take office, is this how you speak to your superior?"
Saying this, he took out the token from his waist.
Qian Kerou frowned; as the secretary, she had received early notice, but now just gave him a cold shoulder, turned around showing the back of her head:
"Overall, you cannot touch the pears in the courtyard!"
Zhao Douan found it amusing, didn’t argue, and followed her inside.
Upon entering, a large brown conference table with chairs neatly arranged around it, and punishnt clubs placed behind the main seat ca into view.
Everything looked so familiar.
He sat casually at the main seat amidst Qian Kerou’s discontented gaze, lightly knocked on the table, and said:
"Summon the other arresting officers."
The little secretary pulled a face, put away the pear, and turned around to leave.
Soon, several familiar figures lazily walked in.
There was Hou Renng, arms crossed, looking defiant, with a wolf-like aura.
Shen Juan, sporting dark circles, fair-skinned, yawning.
And Zheng Laojiu, right hand holding a bowl of jujube tea, left arm tucked today’s residence report—the old Jinyi who was supposed to retire this year according to regulations.
But since Zhao Douan joined and Lihua Hall regained vitality, this senior governnt worker requested to "delay retirent."
However, once Zhao Douan left for the front lines, Lihua Hall turned idle again.
The four sat carelessly, each reluctant to acknowledge the new Master, their faces showing perfunctory expressions.
"Due to the vacancy of Lihua Hall’s Master, I am ordered to temporarily assu the role. Responsible for inspecting internal traitors in the court. As arrest officers, report your situations first." Zhao Douan said calmly.
No one responded, the four acted as if they hadn’t heard, treating the newbie as invisible air.
Clearly, they had discussed beforehand, wanting to give the new superior a hard ti.
Zhao Douan intertwined his hands at his abdon, stated calmly:
"Didn’t hear clearly, or is Young Master Zhao teaching incompetently, and all underlings he brought up are deaf?"
Instantly, four sharp gazes were thrown in his direction.
Qian Kerou coldly said, "This lord, please speak with so respect."
Shen Juan yawned too, eyes cold:
"Little Rou speaks rightly. Lord must rember you’re rely a Deputy Arresting Officer. Lihua Hall from establishnt till now only has one chief. If respectful, we wouldn’t trouble you, but if disrespecting my master..."
Hou Renng expressionlessly slamd the scabbard on the table, snorted:
"Hidden and sneaky, must be a mouse."
"Ah-ah..." Zheng Laojiu placed the teacup down, spat remnants out, chuckled as peacemaker:
"Master, please don’t get agitated. Our Lihua Hall has a bunch of troublemakers, infamous for being unruly..."
Pausing halfway, Zheng Laojiu suddenly stopped, noticing that the masked newcor showed a calm deanor, with no slightest anger.
Only raised his right hand, took off the mask from his face, revealing a familiar visage.
Zhao Douan, with a hint of smile, stared at Hou Renng: "Whom did you call a mouse?"
The hall fell into sudden silence.
Only the autumn wind swept the fallen leaves through the hall.
"Ah!" In next second, Qian Kerou seed to have springs, leapt up, her round face showing astonishnt, stuttering:
"Ma... Master?!"
Shen Juan appeared dumbstruck, as if seeing a ghost, then unconsciously showed a delighted expression!
The other two were no different.
Master has returned!
Imnse joy overwheld the four, as though dazed by happiness, transforming their earlier arrogance into standing upright, eyes lit up, soon replaced by a great bewildernt.
Zhao Douan leisurely placed a finger on his lips:
"Shush, speak quietly. My return isn’t yet ant for broad disclosure, just a few knowing is sufficient. This ti I’m officially stationed on Linfeng’s west line, using the Imperial Palace’s Suppressing Object to magically return."
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